My family and I stopped at a rest stop on our way to Nikko; and we were amazed with how NICE it is compared to any rest stop in the States. When you are arrive, there are parking attendants directing you to your parking spot (Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of them because it happened all too quickly. Perhaps on our next rest stop adventure.).

*Originally published on Maricel like Carousel.

I haven't been to Showa Kinen Park since the cherry blossoms in April, and I am amazed with how beautiful and different it looks every season. June was my first time that I was able to enjoy the beautiful park in serenity.



I was walking along, and this structure of bondage caught my eye. It seems ironic to have it located in a place where people act carefree and open.

*Originally published on Maricel like Carousel
Showa Kinen Park
Address: 3173 Midori-cho Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan 190-8530
Phone: 042-528-1751
Website: www.showakinenpark.go.jp

I was hanging out at Redondo Beach Pier last May when this pelican decided to plop down and rest for a bit on this stand. It was too funny that I had to take a photo!


Redondo Beach Pier
Address: 415 Diamond St, Redondo Beach, CA, USA 90277
Website: www.redondopier.com

I was reading Oh, the Places You'll Go! to my son the other night, and it suddenly hit me. I'm in "The Waiting Place." Waiting for what exactly? Who knows, but I knew I didn't want to be in it anymore.

Because of my husband's career, we've moved 5 times in 3 years in the US and Japan. During our downtime, we like to travel and visit cities and places we've never been to before. In the morning, we'll quickly pack a bag, jump in the car, and drive. While we're on the highway, I'll use either the GPS or a travel review website to pick a spot. They've always been great trips, but there were many times where we ended up at a closed business or private residential home (the best part was when we would find ourselves at a parking lot in a-not-so-great-part-of-town). Those times can be frustrating. Another frustrating moment is when you're trying to find something unique to a city, and research results include Starbucks and IHOP. Don't get me wrong, they are great businesses, and we would want to be there if we didn't already have them at home. Like I mentioned earlier, we enjoy visiting new places.

During a conversation with a friend one day, we came up with a great website idea. In a nutshell, it's a travel review site; and the idea has been lingering around for the past two years. What happened in those two years? Well, I quit my full-time job to take care of our son and prepared for another baby on the way—yes, we've been quite busy in our household—whom are now 2 years and 7 months, respectively.

To be quite honest, the mere thought of creating a (community) website overwhelms me as does anything with the words web, html code, or web design. Okay, I'm exaggerating a little bit, but some parts are intimidating. We're bootstrapping, though, so I'll try to create it myself. Hey, I'll never know if I can do it if I don't try. In the meantime, I'll (hopefully) blog about the process and share some places we've been and other tips I've learned along the way.

I'd love to hear your feedback, so please comment. Thanks!